a street revolt breaks out in egypt or libya or kiev and everyone asks, how should the president respond? these are important parts of america's role in the world, but they are essentially reactive and tactical. the broader challenge to lay down a longer term strategy that e endures after the crisis of the moment. the obama administration has tried to do that with asia's strategy, but progress has been halting and incomplete. so for all its problems, the real threat to a serious asia strategy comes not from the administration but from congress and maybe the american public. in fact, the difficulties in the execution of the asian pivot raised the broader question, can america have a grand strategy today? obama's basic approach is wise and in many ways a continuation of u.s. foreign policy since bill clinton's presidency, including george w. bush. on the diplomatic front, it has two elements -- deterrence and engagement. all countries in asia as well as the united states seek deeper relations with chine into and want to make sure that country does not become an expansionist regional bully.